Tag: Rescues and Shelters

While peeling through Facebook the other day, I noticed an article posted by a friend about the old vs. new ways that dog rescues/shelters can best market their dogs and services to those that are searching for a future family member(s). It started with getting rid of the “poor dog”stories and not dwelling on the past life of the dog. You’ve probably seen those heart wrenching photos like these below, of our new dog, Helen Jane, when she initially came into a shelter in Indiana. (These were from a 2 year series of photos from her initial rescue to adoption. I’m just using these for illustrative purposes.)

Be Delicate with Me!

Too Thin

Now fast-forward 2 years! She’s made a spectacular recovery and was nursed back to good health with the help of Illinois Bird Dog Rescue and their system of dedicated foster homes and volunteers. (Kudos to all of you because you saw her through the tough days and we benefited from that!) The gist of the article was rather than dwell on the rescued dog‘s past and pull at the heartstrings with sob stories, it’s better to highlight the dog’s best behaviors, personality traits, and why the dog would be a good companion and family member. In other words, show them in their best light! Well here you go . . .

Catchiing Air!

On the Scent

Cool Down Time!

While we know nothing about her life before rescue (nor do we need to know), we celebrate the joy, companionship, humor and energy she brings to our everyday lives! She’s also become my “never too cold, hot or rainy” exercise partner and has me running again, after a multi-year ‘resting period.’ Now, if I could only keep up with her!

Shortly after adopting her, I signed up for a dog obedience training class (1 & 2) with Holly Lewis (Cold Nose Canine) at the east side Zoom Room and in spite of her being an adult, 4-6 yrs old, our “bonding through obedience training” has blossomed. Yes, you can teach older dogs (and humans) new tricks! This skilled network of positive reinforcement dog trainers is vital in completing the circle of successful adoptions.

As I read the brief FB post from Beyond Breed, I thought of all the people that work tirelessly to rescue, shelter,transport, foster, treat and ready dogs for adoptions. From executive directors to volunteers, there’s an army of people to celebrate and acknowledge. Like Lisa, below, with her own dog, Buckwheat, who’s been rescuing English Pointers and English Setters for 12 years.

He’s the best and he’s all mine!

With that understanding, it’s time to start another personal photography project! Spread the word because I need to photograph and blog about the people that are behind the scenes of every big and little dog adoption. From home based rescues to large shelters, help me share the stories of their everyday successes and joys of working in the emotionally charged area of dog rescue/adoption. It’s the successes that keep this “army” going and that’s what I intend to highlight. To start things off, I’d like to travel to northwest Indiana, with Hellie, and photograph the people there that helped get her to me. I think they’d love to see what’s become of her and I expect the joyful memory of our meeting would fuel them forward during some tougher times.

This project would also include the adopters and their new canine family members. Then I can help supply the rescues with images such as the one below that illustrate that rescued/adopted dogs can be wonderful companions to children and families! If you’d like to be part of this yet to be named project or know of someone, or a shelter/rescue that might be interested in participating, please contact me at peggy@peggymorsch.com or 414.550.5340. Sites in the Midwest are encouraged but I’ll also consider other states if they line up with travel plans such as Alaska, western New York, or the driving route to Florida. Thanks for helping this project move forward!

In between photographing seniors, families and dogs, I’m cattin’ around the neighborhood these days. OK, it’s not the most photographic blog I’ve posted recently, but it’s got me engaged and energized!

After our block party, a neighbor told me of the cat and her kittens. I’ve seen the cat since winter and thought someone on a neighboring street owned it. So I was surprised to see that she was a stray mother of three! Kittens were cute but I don’t want her reproducing ‘in our neighborhood’ again. Kinda like the ‘not in my backyard’ movement, if you get my drift.

I signed up and became a trained Trap-Neuter-Release volunteer through the WI Humane Society and this morning, momma took the bait! At 6:00a.m. she got hungry and when I saw her beautiful, green eyes staring back at me from the live trap, I was glad to have her in there safely. However, where was her kitten? Another trap has been set to try to catch that one.

Cay Eyes!

Momma was dropped off at the WI Humane Society this morning and I’m about to return, on this same day, to pick her up. She’ll be loaded back into the live trap, for my safety, and she’ll be sporting an ear tag that signifies she’s part of the Trap-Neuter-Release program. She’ll also have vaccinations for distemper and rabies and between her shoulder blades will be a micr0-chip that will signify me as her momma! After a couple of days in our basement ‘recovery room’, she’ll be released back into the neighborhood, where she’ll likely resume her residency in a neighbor’s garage. Now come on little, kitty, kitty, kitty!

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